No voter ID cards, no general election – James

Dominica News Online - Tuesday, May 31st, 2011 at 8:54 AM

James

Former Prime Minister and Parliamentary Representative for Marigot Edison James says the United Workers Party will not participate in any general election without the availability of voter ID cards and a cleaning up of the voters list.

James told a United Workers Party (UWP) meeting last night that the citizens of the country have been speaking for way to long on the matter and now is the time to act.

“I want you to take this very seriously. Some people are asking if they call elections without the ID cards and cleaning up the list what would we do. We say there will be no election without identification,” he said.

James said it is not necessary for the Dominica Labor Party “to put the country in the turmoil that it is to call elections without ID cards”.

James has also advised party supporters to act.

“We will go back and having seen the numbers here tonight…take this crowd seriously because if we can’t get what we want, we will act,” James said.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of
DominicaNewsOnline.com/Duravision Inc. All comments are approved by DominicaNewsOnline.com
before they are posted. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view,
but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

violate or infringe the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or include personal attacks

are abusive, profane or offensive

contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law

promote hatred of any kind

refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty

THE PM SAY THE COUNTRY DOESN’T HAVE MONEY TO SPEND ON VOETR ID BUT HE HAS MONEY TO SPEND ON NATIONAL ID.PLEASE.PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZ!THE GOV’T JUST DON’T WANT TO AGREE THAT IS A GOOD SUGGESTION BY THE OPPOSITION.
AND RIGHT NOW THE GOVT IS SPENDING MONEY ON A BUILDING FOR PUBLIC DISPLAY.TAKE THE MONEY AND FIX THE HOSPITAL!

as i see it the opposition is not yet ready to lead i heard them call fowl on the government but i have not heard if they are elected what would they do for da where would they get the money from and how would they go about doing what they have to do. as a young person this is what i am interested in hearing nothing else.
sprags leader i am not hearing u where are u.
it seem to me green and eddie are the mouth piese what happen u hush hush

IT NOT CALLING FOWL ON ANY GOV’T IT SAYING WHAT IS HAPPENING WHICH U WISH WAS’T SAID.WHEN THE LABOUR PARTY WERE CAMPAGINING IN 2000 WHAT DID THEY CAMPAIGE ON,CORRUPTION NOT ANYTHING ABT WHERE THEY WUD GET MONEY TO BRING THE COUNTRY TO SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.SO SHUT UP!

I don’t understand why those things were not introduced when they were in power. Anyway, not even England has I.D cards because of the expense. Use your current I.D. Your passport or drivers liscence. It is ridiculous to think that in little Dominica we need that, especially when at the polling stations, such few people go to them

What is most troubling is that Dominicans are looking past the opportunity to have fair general elections. Don’t you know that voter ids will put Dominica in the forefront for talking a hold on corruption. So the opposition suggested it so what. The present government should embrace a good idea when they see it

DNO where are the pictures from the rally? Am I to conclude that this was an oversight or maybe your cameras were not working or something else? Please enlighten us. I am sure you know that a picture is worth a 1,000 words— let us decide for oursleves and draw our own conclusions.

You had to be blind deaf and dumb this is just the begining I am not a UWP supporter to know that hings on the ISLAND is going to hell in a hand basket so take your head out of wherever you have it because if DOMINICA could talk it would tell you wake up and defend your ISLAND and not any political party or individual if at all you have any brain left we have gone pass parties now is the time to make a decision that will impact your children’s lives you have done you time we are thinking about them and what will happen would you be able to say to them sorry I didnt do anything to provide or protect your future when they ask you what have you done do you want them to be on the side walk begging or singing for their supper dont be afraid it is your resposiblity to shape the COUNTRY for them so they can say their parents did A B C D so that they could archive.
The crowd that turned out didnt come because of WUP, DLP, DFP they came out because their COUNTRY is going thru differcult times and no one in GOVT seem to understand or dont know what to do and do you say to yourself that the conduct of some your representatives are acceptable and the likes of Tony Astaphan is what you want your children to copy well you really should get a copy of “IF DOMINICA COULD TALK” and study it very carefully.\
When you say the COUNTRY is moving I wonder to where and if it’s moving why are so many of my D’can people left behind tell us what we have to do or better yet tell us what you had to do how much of your self worth you had to give up to be where you a now.
DOMINCA does not belong to Skerro, Edo, Tony, Alic,Charles,Ambrose and others it belongs to all of us and it is high time we let them know we the people have the power we have began to show them let’s continue in a peacefull maner and we will bring big changes in DOMINICA for all it is not a laughing matter it is serious we want our ISLAND back

BONDIEU who is really in charge of the UWPEE…A statement like that should have been made by either SPAGHETTI OR GREENLAND ! Thats a seriously dounce pronouncement….I think UWP must be dissolved and make way for A NEW PARTY.

Up to now their agents at all the 21 polling stations/constituency cannot give one instance of VOTER IMPERSONIFICATION in any type of elections which their party have been involved in since 1990.

Now this talk about not participating but in any case by the time of the next general elections they would have lost another 5000 votes so There will be NO UWP THEN,,,,,,,so with no support base, broakism, no leadership and political Gopwellism in full flight I understand what the Man from monkey hill saying.

you too damn dunce. why must this statement come from the leader of the party. Any concerned citizen can make a call for free and fair election. Any party member can speak on behalf of the party.

Read the comment , under the name MY democracy and see if someone can refute my claims.

you should not be speaking of the amount of votes UWP will loose but rather the amount of new jobs that will be created in dominica by ur government, how the DLP government is going to reduce cost of living, improvementt in health care , manufacturing, finding new markets for new products, attracting the necessary amount of FDI to provide for sustainable development, improvement of air access, etc

Maybe you just too damn dunce to discuss those issues and i have notice that the level of dunceness displayed on this thread is very contagious among those who defend the current administration.

The best way to keep opponants from talkng is to implement their programs. it is said if the message is coing g=from the devil, take and refuse the devi. What is wrong with a voter identity card? All democrtic nations have such a system as far as I know. A voter identity carrd can also serve as an identification card. It is needed now especially with the coing of otjer fellow wes Indians

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 93TOO BLESSED TO STRESSED, VICTORY IS YOURSMay 31, 2011

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU WITH HEALTH LONG LIFE AND GOOD EYESIGHT, SO THAT WHEN THE DAY COMES YOU WILL SEE, MAY YOUR EARS BE ABLE TO HEAR AND YOUR MIND BE IN ALERTNESS. THE DAY WILL COME, YOU WILL HEAR THEIR CRIES.

TO THE NAYSAYERS BRING IT ON.
BLESSING BLESSINGS WHO JAH BLESS NO MAN CURSE

Dominicans could TALK and Dominicans will continue to talk about the need for ELECTORAL REFORMS. My people be FRANK. 7 YEARS, YES 7 years now, since the institution responsible for ensuring FREE and FAIR Elections, namely, the INDEPENDENT ELECTORAL COMMISSION, recommended to Govt. for financial assistance to provide VOTER ID CARDS and to CLEAN UP the Voters’ List. Dominicans of all walks of life, the opposition parties, have been pleading to Skerritt and his Govt. for years for electoral Reform. TO NO AVAIL. They refuse to Listen.

The Electoral Commission has the RIGHT, the Mandate, by the Constitution to request Electoral Reform, to ask for the necessary help and to receive such help for the good of our election process. All Dominicans would Benefit. The Minister of Finance, Skerritt, is stubbornly not responding to the request of the Commission and others.

Dominicans know of the e-mail written, who wrote it, who it was written and copied to on that same matter. Nobody could deny that. It is a fact that the Independent Electoral Commission’s requests were cast aside and their ideas, to produce Voter ID cards and clean up the Voters’ List was called madness. Why should any Govt. in this 21st. century refuse to implement electoral reform? Why should the Skerrit DLP Govt. blatantly refuse to provide the money so that the Commission could do its work better?

Dominicans are speculating that future elections could be rigged and filled with irregularities, fraud, bribery in the absence of Voter ID cards and a clean Voters List. All over the world countries are making use of Voter ID cards and putting mechanisms in place to ensure elections are free and Fair and to strengthen the democratic process. If those things are not done sooner rather than later, the ruling DLP Govt. would be sending wrong signals to the entire world as to its reluctance in ensuring free and fair elections in Dominica.

Why is voter ID card so important for the UWP? I mean I just voted in a General election earlier this month, and all I had to show was my drivers license. What is wrong with using Government issues ID cards, such as Passport, Drivers License, Social Security card?, why do we always try to re-invent the wheels in Dominica?, The old saying in absent of leadership, people will listen to anyone, who open thier mouth and speak, Mr. James figured there is no leadership, so he is speaking. Ron its seems you have to many chiefs, and not enough Indians.

Eddo,
Bello need much more raw material than DA farmers are able to supply and are thinking of importing. Why don’t you quit politics and go back into farming to help Bello out? Plant some guava; hot peppers; tamarind; cacao, etc. That should keep you busy so you won’t have that much time on your hands to try to incite violence.

uwp had their chance……..and they f*ck*d up………that means they will NOT get re-elected.
u – all you not united….how many different leaders..don’t know which one to pick?
w – all you not working….just sitting on all u bums and blaming people for all you mistakes
p – all you not a party….all you just a DISORGANISED GROUP…..a body without a head, arms & legs

What he do he do???? What nonesense you talking….. I am no UWP supporter but Dominica is not the PM own but ours…. If you are happy with the PM then speak for your self but a large portion of Dominicas are unsatisfied with the government. And yes i have been talking to labour supporters as well, they just scared to speak out for fear of being victimized

Obviously you DO NOT love the PM! What rubbish is this, “What he do he do?” …… This country was NOT willed to my comrade nor does he possess a monopoly on LEADERSHIP in this country. It is people as ignorant as yourself that creat an atmosphere for all kind of atrocities in a country. The PM IS NOT a law unto himself and this must be clear in our heads, neither is he infallible and for those of you who hold this notion, you are doing comrade Skerrit and this blessed land a great disservice. There are rules and regulations plus moral and ethical standards that one must be mesured against and once one is found “wanting” then that individual must be held accountable. I love children and as a result I correct them, “Spear the rod and you spoil the child”. Let us call on our leaders to be mature, sincere and responsible and some of these “honourable’ gentlemen are way too arogant and “thinskinned” for their own good!

What is really wrong with this Edison James?
The man does not know his place,he is no longer the leader of his party,he has lost three election so they see him as a leader and does not want him;he is no longer the PM,because Domincan don’t like the man.Yet still he is making big and bold statements,Ron is Eddo the leader?why is he speaking for the party.Thats his Pagua estate man,the one in the old slave cemetry.
Eddie knows well he can’t make it next time so he is trying to bring down the party with him on his way out,let a little boy who gets bowled out and knock down the stumps,takes his bat and ball and runs home.
NOW POLICE COMMISSIONER DID YOU HEAR THE TREATS THAT THIS MAN MADE,ABOUT DESTROYING ANYTHING THAT IS HIS AND THE OTHER WAY,DID YOU HEAR THAT THIS MAN SAID THEY ARE GOING BACK TO PLAN BECAUSE THEY ARE READY TO TAKE THIS GOVT DOWN AND THAT IS THROUGH A REVOLT.
Not even in the USA the mother of democracy that EDISON JAMES and other would get away with the statements that i heard these people making.
BUT IF THEY BELIEVE THEY WILL SEEK TO DO LIKE THE REBELS IN LIBYA AND THE OTHER REGIONS ITS NOT THE POLICE WHO WILL STAND UP TO THEM BUT WE THE PEOPLE.
Remember guys 67% of the masses in this country voted for the present government.
Come on go back to the drawing board and learn to win an election through the ballots and stop crying like babies and trying to get into power through the back door.Go learn proper political tactic and good marketing skills.
The problem is your party in old and still running on a 1988 crisis to recovery slogan,and an aged old fear no more,come on guy grow and move with the times.
There will not be a 1979 in Dominica not even nature seem to beable to repeat history with another David farless for you toothless politicians.

if these so called politicians want so badly the voter id cards implemented, why don’t they go out seeking funding and technicians and bring that proposal to the government. instead they sit on their behinds and call for things that we the pple cannot afford at this time. Get out there and make your contribution to policies you wanna see become a reality.

With all that was added to the initial cost of the state palace, which now makes it a multi-function government building, implementation of voter ID cards and cleaning up the voter’s list would be a drop in the bucket. If you dissect the components and cost of the project it would be very easy to add such an important item as election reform.

the problem i have with this if u felt that way so strong then there should not have been re-election in marigot and saulisbury that was the time to show your force u refuse to go to work but,u get your check.

My questions are
1. why does Tony Astaphan consider cleaning up the list Madness?
2. Is he so sure that they would lose a fair election?
3. why should we allow an unfair election in our country regardless to who would win os lose
4. Should we not want fairness and justice in our governance and elections at all cost?
5. if we do not care about fairness, then why bother with a bogus election.
6. Dont we want who we vote for to win and run our country?
7.in these hard economic times when the PM is promising cut backs, why are we having a third election in 2 years
8. who ia paying for it
9. why in the name of goodness, should we have another election just to suit ONE MAN who decieved us all the last election, and when his deceit is uncovered, we are considering another election just to accomodate him.are we so badly off in Dominica, that we are willing to overlook all Mr.Skerrit’s wrong doings, and undergo another country dividing election to suit him? more hate, more division among neighbors, and families, and brothers and sisters all for one man.
10. I was fully in favor of voting out UWP in 2000, but since then me as a progressive Dominican who love my country and love NO party, I nust ask you Dominicans at home and abroad, WHAT HAPPEN TO US? HAVE WE LOST OUR DOMINICAN SPIRIT? ARE WE FOR REAL? ARE WE IN THE REAL WORLD/ HAVE WE EVER HEARD OF SUCH POLITICAL NONSENSE ANY WHERE ELSE ON ANY OF ALL THE PLANETS IN THE GALAXY? ARE WE MAAAADDDDDD?????

Sorry but there are many dead people still voting in Dominica. want proof?

Hot debate. What do you think? 38PedroMay 31, 2011

When ever you have a ruthless leader, who want to remain in power by what ever means, it is necessary to fully implement the laws that govern our elections. The law provides for voter identification and the election commision reported that it is necessary for free and fair elections. Dominica will not allow the fraud which took place in the last elections.

Voting is a citizen’s pride,i would say.i support Mr.Edisson in his call for voter id cards:with name, adress and a space to stamp,after having voted.the passeport or normal id should be presented when voting.in this case we apply a nd respect voters’fundamental rights.i don’t trust politicians.

Like i said before , why is it my father who is from petit bay ( small village after coconut beach) , never resides any where in the cottage constituency but is voting in that constituency.

Please remember when reggie defeated mr.carbon in 1995 it was because of the amount of vote regie got in the lagoon area of the cottage constituency. i kept thinking how many people like my dad who should have voted in portsmouth constituency actually voted in lagoon which is in the cottage constituency. Food for thought.

DNO please print cause i can substantiate my claims by giving my name and my fathers name if and when required . As a matter of fact my name is ted lewis and i actually took my dad to vote once at the portsmouth secondary shcool .

I am saying if this can happen , in portsmouth/lgoon it can happen in any other constituency where candidates move persons from registering in the constituency where they are strong to where they are weak . even if the oportunity is there for both parties to do like wise thats does not make it right .

To have a next election whithout reform is a violation of the democracy of all dominicans and i ready to stand up and fight , physically if i have to to make this wrong right. We need to march the streets , protest peaceful , encourage business people to shut down for a day and workers stay home on that day , if by then the government don’t do the necessary then we will have to revert to the use of force. i am willing to sacrifice my life for this fight because its time the politicians understand that the masses has the power.

The funny thing about it is that you all are not the masses. I wander what would happen if you all were the masses but wait a minute at the last election it was 18 to 3.

Why don’t you advice your party Mr. Ted Lewis to get their act right, start making serious plans for the next election like what they can do better than the ALP if they get in power. I wonder if you will leave Antigua and return to Dominica to help your masses to demonstrate and protest maybe even turn to violence. You also have to remember that we Dominicans won’t stand for nonsense and we are the masses if you forget. Labour have the majority of Dominicans behind them.

I have voted in other countries far more developed and bigger than Dominica and they do not have ID cards. I just went, gave my voters identification number and voted.

To be fair and just to all I do think that a Voter ID Card is a good idea and necessary to allow a fair election.
Voting is to be taken seriously. It is your right – to vote and in an orderly fashion.
If Dominica is to progress and have a fair election, it is imperative that a Voter ID Card be implemented. This also avoids much confusion and duplication of names at the polls. In simple terms, it makes it easy for everyone involved.
Likewise having a Census every 10 years.
Let me further advise you. I reside in Canada. Those who reside in those big countries should know that every year we are obligated to prepare the Canada Revenue Income Tax Return. There is a column which indicates do you wish your name to be given to Elections Canada. I always respond: “YES”.
In this case whenever an election is called, be it a Federal, Provincial and Municipal one my household automatically receives election cards/forms which you could call a Voter ID Card giving the date of the election and where we are to vote with other pertinent information. We are also privileged to vote earlier at designated areas prior to the election date in the event we may be away or unable to vote on that day. Call this government accommodation of electors to ensure that everyone is able to vote. Sadly, despite this not everyone votes. Some people could not care less but there are those who welcome the government assistance they can get. I would make it mandatory that everyone votes just as filling out a census. It is our right as concerned and patriotic residents/citizens.
If this is implemented many will shout “dictatorship government”. Nevertheless, if I were in a position to do so, I would make it mandatory that everyone who resides in this country votes.
On the day of election, this Card must be presented to the election clerk with another ID such as a Utility and/or telephone bill with the current address.
If the voter does not have a Card, he/she must present two pieces of ID’s, such as a current passport with picture and a utility bill indicating that this person is the correct person and is eligible to vote. Some protocol is to be observed in this case.
The clerk looks up the list and checks the names of the voters who present the Card, crosses the names and then gives the voters a form, simply explaining what is to be done as placing their mark on their politician’s preference and when completed, folding the form and placing it into a box.
The voters go to the designated private area and caste their votes then place them in a box and vacate the area.
Since these days everything is electronic, after casting the vote, the clerk sends a form to the electorate office that another person has voted. Note, it is not known who the person voted for.
When the poll closes, the votes are counted and submitted electronically to that office.
The clerks are not allowed to give voters advice on whom they should for. This is a violation of Elections Canada and their positions.
In the late evening we await the results of the election. It could be an exciting time to see if the Party we voted for wins. I was happy that the Party I voted for won the election.
We must utilize our common sense when voting. There are some people who do not do this. They also wait to hear the results of the poll surveys prior to voting. I do not allow people to govern my feelings.
Thanks be to God, I am always confident that I voted for the correct Party. I listen to what they are stating be it on TV and then I form my personal conclusion, not based on that of others and what they say.
Canada is now in the Census mode. I received a form but have not yet done it. I received a reminder in the mail and later a telephone call message.
We are obligated to prepare our Income Tax Return and also the Census form. I will inform you I hate doing them, worst yet the Canada Revenue one which takes longer to prepare. I do not think anyone is enthusiastic about doing them. However, they are necessary. Therefore I am obligated to do so.
May the government of Dominica implement a Voter ID Card. It will make it much easier and that the election will be conducted in an orderly and fair manner. Try it, you will like it.
God bless Dominica and with fair elections, electing a good government who is interested in the progress of Dominica. Keep your personal views out of it.

Utilize your common sense and good judgment if you have any and cease your criticism. Allow others their views as you were allowed yours. Are you not happy about that?
Are you a dictator, communist and an envious person? It shows; not a nice person
Patience is a godly virtue. It appears you possess none. Pray to God for His gift of the Holy Spirit –Patience.

Like or Dislike: 00nyJune 1, 2011

i live in ny. i vote every year but i have never had to show id. my name is found on a list and i sign after i vote. i guess everywhere things are done differently.

that’s not the point…so because UWP did not introduce it while in office that makes it ok for the current government to do the same? Is that your justification?
Who introduces it is not important..what;s important is that voter ID Cards would obviously make the process easier and much more transparent

Like or Dislike: 00PISSED OFFMay 31, 2011

hush moo-moo

Like or Dislike: 00Francis Francis chicagoMay 31, 2011

You need to shut up.

Like or Dislike: 00HmmMay 31, 2011

Two wrong does not make it right. If we want a true democratically elected government…We need voter I>D to prevent fraud etc.

fair question , but UWP was so democratic that it now seems foolish that they were in power yet they called a fair and free election, did not spend government money to buy voters, they called the election, they lost to Rosie Douglas,they packed yp and left office. Mr. Skeritt can not leave office, He will do anything, no holds barred, guess why.

Reon, why are you guys so delusional? If, as you have convinced yourself, thousands really came to vote, will you then admit that we already have GREAT air (and sea) access and do not need no patat international airport after all? Geez man!!!

Like or Dislike: 00PEACE & LOVEJune 1, 2011

LEAVE Roseau out of that roseau people not sort like all are u. 18 3 my sitdown labor labor vole vole,deble car we.

I went to college (Clifton Dupigny Community College) with Mr. James’ daughter. I remember clearly that in 1995 the college faculty had introduced the change in the uniform from the polo shirts to the blue shirts. Of course, as second year students we thought it useless to spend on new shirts because we had only a few months left at the institution. So what did we do? I along with Mr. James’ daughter and the other second year students called a meeting with faculty and parents (and Mr. James you were there to represent your daughter although i believe you were the PM at the time as well). At that meeting we all discussed, heard, and listened to each other’s point of view. I must say proudly that in the end, the second year students came out victorious. Why am I returning to this piece of history? I am doing so because I need to remind Mr. James, that his daughter and myself along with the rest of the second year class of that time learnt that much can be accomplished with organised dialogue…Mr. James, Parliament is an excellent place to begin!!

SO what mr James you such a joker one party state . I think the u w p don’t have a good message for the people tell them over and over again that skerrit is a frenchman. U .W . P can not win a general election again.

If we say we are Dominicans and we sit and support all this political nonsence with this Government, we eh ready yet. To be honest I am ashame to tell people that I am a Dominican. We are heading for a big and long fall sooner or later. With my few years on this earth, thats the worst , i say the worst Dominica has become.

Again I say shame, shame, shame. So many people cannot buy petrol to put into their vehicles. So many cannot have a proper breakfast or lunch. so many cannot send their children to school bondye.

my brother why don’t you point out some facts that make dominica so bad dominica has good and bad but you can’t tell me it’s the worst you might be uwp and you don’t like the pm how maney people in dominica you know bank take their house like in the state how many people going hungry and i can go on and on

The more I read the comments on this site it’s the more i see how we Dominicans are blinded by the evil of politics. Come on fellow Dominicans when you see something that is wrong say it’s wrong , when it’s good and worthwhile say so. Forget politics and politicians they are there to fulfill our needs and they have lead us to believe that it is they who are important and not us.
Time to open your eyes fellow Dominicans and stand up for what is right.
One man cannot save Dominica nor a group.
Time to start nation building, time to forget those self serving politicians and build our country.
I agree that Dominica needs a cleaning of the heart and the people need to open up their minds and hearts to what is better.
I am tired of hearing people expressing how a handsome prime minister will save them in some way. Realize ppl he is just a man and he has faults like all the others who has come before him.

As yourselves: Is he doing for us what we want? Is the country moving forward or are we being led to believe things that are not true? It’s time for we Dominicans to be able to open up our minds and eyes to see, hear and understand. Stop making politicians divide us and conquer we are wiser than that. Dominicans are not idiots but we allowed politicians to make us pass as such.

Hello, are you not also tierd of hearing people say that the official opposition – UWP is a waste of time. They do not care for Skerrit but UWP is yet to come up with a comprehensive socio- economic developmental alternative plan to move Dominica forward. Are you not also tierd of hearing that people say that EDO , Sprags, RON and they other UWP senators are collecting their tax money but still not representing them in parliarment even though they have the opportunity to do so. UWP blaming their lack of representation on ‘dey old Speaker.’ I am just saying that you need to stop fooling yourself because even though you claim to be wiser than that, you are definitely making some politicians divide and conquer you.

Just asking,
I am not drawn by Dominica’s politicians or it’s politics I’m just on the outside looking in at how party politics have divided Dominica.
My humble opinion is that these people know how to keep Dominicans in the dark through their tactics.
Don’t you think that if these people came together they could come up with a plan? Of course they can but they choose not to do so because they know that the division is what drives Dominica. Wickedness!!!

These politicians do not hate one another as they lead Dominicans to think, they are just doing their jobs. We need to learn how to not take politics so personally.
I live elsewhere where I see politics and politicians that does not divide but rather allows for upward and forward movement. If we adopt those tactics of politics in Da maybe just maybe more could get done in Dominica. The crab in a barrel mentality has got to go. again stop allowing politicians to mess with your heads

Well-loved. Like or Dislike: 152Truth B ToldMay 31, 2011

In a democracy, we should be encouraging MORE people to vote not less. Edison’s drive to disenfranchise voters is almost criminal. Does the UWP really believe that if fewer people can vote they could win an election?

The UWP had their chance in government and were found lacking! The people of Dominica removed them after only one term, they were too corrupt and too inept. They will certainly not win an election by preventing citizens from voting.

These crazy, lazy, tired old men need to relax and find something else to do.

it was on Angelo’s program that the discussion on the opposition and its effectiveness in leading the masses of the Dominican people in taking up the many issues that confronts Waitikubuli, One major issue in order to get rid of all the corrupt practices in the governance of Dominica is the correcting of the electoral list and voter ID, the statement by the official opposition in Parliament to address that issue by not taking part in the election process when it is called has to be a step in the right direction, world attention will have to focus on Dominica in light of what is taking place in the fight for democracy. If the government can find money in the treasury to doll out every week at a red clinic why is it so difficult in addressing the question of electoral reform, if it is right for Mr Astaphan in his emails ranting to Alick Lawrence about madness at the electoral commission re voter id cards it is equally right for the official opposition to legally seek the attention of the same commission to address its concerns, The time is right for the revolution to save Dominica’s Democracy. Hats off to the official opposition for taking on the root of the problem for good governnance in Dominica

so even if UWP stay away from the next Elections what make you believe other political parties won’t take part? Para and Pappy will jump to the ocasion and i doubt very much Freedom Party will abstain…..

Belbagay
Because a person says something, it does not make it right, it does not become a relevant issue! Dominica’s population voted recently and elected a government of 18 labour psrty representatives and 3 UWP representatives! Tell me, will voter ID cards change that ratio?

Ras B, let me put some good sense into your empty head, under what circumstances was the election held, bribery, importation of voters from overseas, persons voting in different constituencies, you should know it all

Like or Dislike: 00RMAJune 1, 2011

UWP did the same in 1995 that is why they win that election. Do so don’t like so. Bribery is part of elections in the Caribbean. Labour did not start it and they will surely not finish it.

Eddy knows that he will not run in the next general elections. Ask IP and the forever begrudging Veteran Journalist both of whom have been targetted / identified to succeed him. Both of them are positioning themselves for the job from “Ah fou ah wi country”. So he has nothing to loose. He has said so many things you wonder when is he really serious. He never says what he means and he never means what he says. Remember the famous quote about the speaker asking him to “withdraw” and his instinctive response relative to “climax” and impotence. Really his political days are quickly coming to an end. Unless he withdraws, his legacy will be one where he will climax his political life amidst the rank of a dead opposition which really is politcal impotence for one who served as CEO of this fair land.

Was that a threat? Why does this party continue to use scare mongering tactics. Should the PM and his cadre review the laws of treason in D/A and ensure that they still have teeth.

I would like to think that we the peole are no longer fools to support your indiscretions. We need a new political party as a viable opposition to post this sorry excuse for a political party into eternal hibernation.

Yes rally but not seeking to cause disturbance and chaos in our country.
This tired old man knows he cannot make it anymore and is trying to take our country down with him.

Like or Dislike: 00belbagayJune 1, 2011

the issues that saverin took on in the seventies were far less important than waht is going on now in this corrupt administration

Hot debate. What do you think? 620Non BiasMay 31, 2011

We seem to be focusing on the wrong issue and that is exactly why Dominica is so backward and falling way behind the other islands. The question we should be asking ourselves is why are the politicians discussing election 18 months after the last general election? Is that what we want as a people or as a country who just voted for a government overwhelmingly ( 18-3).
We don’t need any sophistication to understand basic politics; we can either choose to ignore talks about a snap election simply because it makes no sense at all or we can demand a response from our government representatives as to whether or not there will be a snap election and if so why. Why Why?
With regards to Mr James’ request why so many of us are bashing the gentleman when the requirement for the voter ID was implemented in parliament by the DLP administration. It stands to reason that the DLP government must stand behind the legislation and allow due process.

Presumably Mr James is asking for the implementation of the voter ID in preparation for the next general election in 2014/2015 and so it is not unreasonable that Mr James is currently pushing the issue as the restoration and cleanup of the voter ID system could be time consuming. If we act now then the system should be fully operational come next election.

I sincerely hope that we will not have to endure a snap election Dominica because a snap election will be a true indicator of the function and operation of the Skerrit administration. A snap election will definitely confirm the corrupt nature of the DLP administration and the abuse of authority in office. My instincts tells me that the only reason there could be a snap election in Dominica is because of the pending dual citizenship cases and if there is then that puts the leadership of this country on the same pedestal as that of that of Saddam, Kaddafi, Mubaruk and other well know dictatorship and or repressive governments.

Good question Jab. Maybe the opposition did not ask for it or there was no real need to do so at the time. But what does not strengthen your emotional ranting is the fact that (1) the DLP admitted to mass importation of votes during the last election and that is wrong; (2) The UWP also imported votes while they were in government and that too is also wrong and (3) The DLP agreed to and implimented legislations for voter ID because both sides of government recognized the importance of the issue.. So why not provide the the voter ID Jab.
A government so popular (18-3) is reluctant to or afraid to impliment a voter ID system? I wonder why?

You asking why didn’t I ask for the voter ID during the UWP administration is equivalent to the popular Labor Party supporters saying ” The UWP was corrupt so why can’t the DLP be corrupt”

you must be the one who wrote this speech for eddo cuz only you seems to know what he meant by what was said.

Ps: the opposition can ensure that there is not dictatorship but with their poor leadership and inability to influence, they will never be legally voted into the government. And this is what you guys should be focussing on.

hence ddd, why i said no leniency. Do or do we not need Voter ID cards? Would it not be in our benefit to start now? Nothing political about that! Would calling elections early benefit us?… Learn to read objectively you Ninc (ddd). Of course Mr. James may need to pull up his socks but was that the issue above, use ur brain!

man eddo what are you all problem! we were there and did nothing about the id card thing. plz lets get our party back on the clock and move in high gear to win the next election. my party is going no where macier mag way sa.

You mean these guys got a little over a hundred people to listen to them last night and the man talking about crowd? What a shame!! This UWP really needs to pack up and let a new viable alternative group of men take up the leadership of the opposition party or else they are going nowhere and Labour will remain in power for a very loooong time!!

DNO the function was not a UWP event as reported but one organized by thr Citizens Forum at which the opposition parties not party were invited so you need to correct this for all those bafoons posting their anti- UWP comments

I see it’s still more of the same. Are the UWP bankrupt of ideas. If that is all the plans you have then I am sorry for Dominica. What happens after the so called “revolution” ( civil unrest ) you all are trying to incite. All I can see is deterioration of our economy and our country as a whole. I guess you all have decided that this is the only way you all can gain power. No ideas, no plans nothing. This is just hopeless. Give up politics and make way for new people with new and better ideas.

no voting?thats not making sense,don’t u realise that u r representing ur supporters? Its time u take some time off to do constructive things that will help us. You seems to just relax and wait for the ruling party to make some silly mistake then comment on it and not giving any alternative. Its time to get a better leader,with Hector we r moving nowhere n its a shame that he is so embarassing n cannot give a proper speech. do something about that

Remember Skerrit is not any better than Hector. I mut admit that Skerrit has shown a little bit of improvement now that he has peiople writting his speeches . I still wonder why it is that the PM as leader of the DLP cannot or was afraid to go one on one with edison James. I am absolutely sure that Skerrit would embrace the opurtunity to debate Hector.

After May 29th 1979, the Freedom Party government commissioned a mural that was painted on the Eastern Wall of the Treasury building. The objective for the mural was to remind all and sundry about the events of May 29th 1979. The mural remained firmly in place for more than fifteen years.

When the UWP came on the stage and being in bed with Patrick John, the did not want to constantly remind Patrick John of his past attrocities. It was the official view then that the events of May 29th 1979 was not soemthing that should be remembered because of the difficulties (social and econom,ic) that Dominica went through. Importantly, it was also in an attempt to wipe out/erase anything and everything that had the stamp of the Dominica Freedom Party. And so the mural was removed with much fanfare. During the time that the UIWP was on stage there was never an observation of May 29th 1979. It was very convenient. They did not want to interfere with the sensibilities of people like Denis Joseph, Ferdinand Frampton et all, all of whom had moved to the UWP camp.

It is rather interesting that in its 32nd year, the UWP is all cock-a hoop about observing May 29th 1979. They want boots on the ground.They want a revolution They want this and they want that..

They have been calling for this for a long time. Govenment must not take these guys lightly. they want mayhem, and confusion, bloodshed and turmoil in Dominica.That is all they want. I suppose if they want it badly enough, they will get it. At whose expense anyway?

What a joke – Edison already knows the UWP will lose the next election so he is setting up a reason not for them not to contest – what a fraud.

This statement proves the UWP has no ideas, no direction, no plan for Dominica’s future! They have too many “leaders” and no real LEADERSHIP. What a complete waste of time and effort.

The UWP was corrupt and ineffectual when in office and totally inept in opposition. I think it is time for a new opposition party, these tired old men need to step down and go and rest themselves. Stop wasting our time and trying to cause disruption in Dominica – find something positive to do and stop being so negative.

Eddo at your age i would like to be happily retired, on a cruise somewhere with my grand kiddos enjoying the Mediterranean sea.

Ps: dont be fooled by the crowd, i was there, so was my friend and her hubby – and we are not on you guys side. just wanted to see /hear for ourselves. and nice excuse for already saying UWP cannot win another election with such leadership a.k.a we not voting if we don’t get ID cards…why didn’t your government introduce it back then if its so important?

That age thing you bringing up there doh make sense, in fact its backward thinking regardless of your political affiliation. If at his age he can contribute let the man contribute and you keep dreaming of Mediterranean cruises